A man named Ho Van Phuong Tam, 43, has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for intentionally damaging a national treasure, the imperial throne of the Nguyen Dynasty, located in the Thai Hoa Palace, Hue. The verdict was announced on July 9, 2025, by the local court.

According to court documents, on May 24, 2025, at approximately 11:55 AM, Tam purchased a ticket to visit the Imperial City of Hue. Upon reaching the Thai Hoa Palace, he climbed over the protective barrier, sat on the throne, and broke the left armrest with his hands, continuing to smash it into multiple pieces. He was subdued by security personnel within 15 minutes and handed over to the police.

The damage was assessed to cost at least 173.2 million VND to restore. However, the valuation board emphasized that the historical, cultural, and spiritual losses associated with the national treasure cannot be quantified in monetary terms.

During the investigation, authorities found that Tam was suffering from severe mental disorders due to prolonged methamphetamine use, which impaired his ability to understand and control his actions. Nevertheless, under the Criminal Code, his loss of awareness was a consequence of his own illegal drug use, thus he was still held criminally responsible.

After a mandatory treatment period, a new assessment determined that Tam only had limited awareness and control over his actions. The court noted that Tam's actions severely violated the integrity of a national treasure, adversely affecting the preservation of the nation's cultural heritage.

The throne, which stands 101 cm tall, 72 cm wide, and 87 cm long, features a lavish gold-leaf canopy and is crafted from lacquered wood. It was recognized as a national treasure in January 2016.